According to a report from The Scottish Sun, Kilmarnock are keen on adding Celtic teenager Adam Montgomery to their ranks by the end of this month. Killie have appointed Derek McInnes as the new Rugby Park chief who has already secured the services of Kyle Lafferty, Ash Taylor, Daniel MacKay and Dylan Tait to bolster their promotion hopes.
The East Ayrshire side witnessed a rapid rise under Steve Clarke as they went on to finish third behind Celtic and Rangers three years ago. Clarke, however, left his role to manage Scotland and Killie, surprisingly, witnessed a shocking downfall.
From securing a Europa League qualifiers berth to getting demoted to the Championship last season, it happened far too quickly for Kilmarnock. The management is now pushing for an immediate return to the top tier and has dismissed Tommy Wright who failed to deliver. While they are currently third in the Championship standings behind Arbroath and Inverness, McInnes is gearing up for a fierce battle with fellow aspirants.
The Bhoys, meanwhile, are well equipped high up the pitch following the arrival of Daizen Maeda earlier this window. They also have Filipe Jota, Mikey Johnston, Liel Abada and veteran James Forrest for wide attacking roles and Montgomery, therefore, is unlikely to be involved in the coming days despite featuring sporadically early into the campaign.
Why Celtic Should Sanction The Transfer
The youngster progressed through the academy ranks of Celtic before making his senior debut back in May 2021 against St Johnstone. Predominantly a winger, the 18-year-old was converted to a makeshift left fullback by Postecoglou amid fitness woes. So far he has appeared 18 times across competitions, but the emergence of Liam Scales as a fullback has sent Montgomery down the pecking order.
Scales is challenging Greg Taylor for a first-team place, whereas Josip Juranovic exhibited his adaptability during Taylor’s injury problem. Boli Bolingoli has been transfer-listed with no future at Parkhead and the young Scotsman, too, should opt for a temporary switch in order to develop his game at the senior level. Unlike Bolingoli, the Hoops graduate holds a bright career road ahead of him at his boyhood club.
Having said that, Montgomery must prove his worth in the training ground to secure a regular role week in week out. Now it remains to be seen whether McInnes uses him as a wide attacker or banks on his defensive skills going forward.
